SOULSTICE
A Service of
Advent Candlelight
Tuesday, December 19, 2023
4:00 pm
Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church
745 S. Ingraham Avenue
Lakeland, Florida
The Rev. Pamela Smith, Pastor
+ GATHERING +
Welcome
Dear Friends, we are God’s beloved. Come. Let us put aside the many tasks on our to-do lists, the many worries that we carry. Come. Let us move for a little while from the turmoil of our thoughts. Come. Let us recognize our burdensome cares and give them to the heart of God. This afternoon our hearts are welcomed and our pains are not forgotten.
Invocation
+ WORD +
DARKNESS
We sometimes think of darkness as something to avoid, something that is less than light, something that symbolizes all that is undesirable. Yet God also created the dark of night, the deep shades of the color palette, the rich canvas of the night sky. So, let us seek the comfort of the dim and the dark. Let its velvetiness surround you with comfort.
Gracious God, like your children throughout the ages, we sit in darkness and we await the light of your presence.
HYMN
Come Thou Long-Expected Jesus
ELW 254
God speaks to us and says: Children of my heart, remember this: Darkness is not bleak to me and remember that I created light as well. So, no matter how bleak your night is, my Light will overcome it.
Gracious God, like your children throughout the ages, we walk in a desert of loneliness. Our spirits are dry and we thirst for your presence. We feel lost.
Children of my heart, remember this: I am with you always. I will not let the floods overwhelm you. I wipe away every tear from your eye.
Gracious God, like your children throughout the ages, there are times when we are alone and fearful, times when we cannot see you or hear your promises of hope. Are you there?
Children of my heart, remember this: I set prisoners free. I make the blind see and the deaf hear. I make the lame dance. Those of you who are silent in sorrow, you will have joy. I save you because I love you.
Writing Our Prayers
You may write your prayer concern or request on the paper provided. They will be collected and prayed for later in the service. If you do not want your prayer spoken, please write “silent only” on it.
Thanksgiving for Baptism
Gracious God, we thank you that you created water to nourish your earth. We thank you for your Spirit and your holy Word with whom you created this world in which we live.
You have brought your children through many floods and many dry places.
You give us the gift of water that sustains our lives together.
You have brought us together in the water of our baptisms and we gather together as your children.
We pray that you will continue to give us the blessings of your Holy Spirit in our lives and to you we give all honor and praise through Jesus Christ our Lord in the unity of the Holy Spirit, now and forever.
Amen.
You are invited to place your prayer concerns in the basket near the baptismal font. You may wish to light a candle in remembrance of a loved one or as a sign of a prayer intention.
LIGHT OF COMFORT
From Psalms 6, 13, and 31
Be gracious to me, O LORD, for I am weary with my moaning; every night I flood my bed with tears and drench my couch in my weeping. My eyes waste away because of my misery, my strength fails, and I have sorrow in my heart all day long. How long must I bear this loneliness, for my soul melts away with sadness.
From Jeremiah 31
I, the LORD God, will turn your mourning into joy; I will comfort you, and give you gladness for sorrow. I have kept count of your tossings; I have put your tears into my bottle. Why are you cast down, O my child, and why are you disquieted within your soul? Hope in God; for I am your help and your God.
Candle Lighting
The light of the first candle reminds us that God will comfort us in our grief and loneliness. During this season of waiting, take time to remember your loved ones who have already entered into that eternal rest. Remember their name, their face, their voice, and the memories that bring them close to us every day, but especially in these holy days.
We keep silence
God through Christ Jesus has destroyed death and the power of the grave. Let us pray:
Comforting God, have compassion on us as we mourn. Help us hold fast to your promise that one day you will put an end to our sorrow and wipe away every tear from our eyes. Amen
Hymn
Comfort, Comfort Now My People
ELW 256 (vs. 1 & 3)
LIGHT OF HEALING
From Psalm 38 and Jeremiah 8
Our hearts throb; our strength fails us; and our days are bleak. We are ready to fall, and our pain is ever with us. We look for a time of healing and peace, but there is anger and despair instead. Our health is gone and our hearts are sick.
From Isaiah 42 and 53
A bruised reed he will not break, and a dimly burning wick he will not quench; he will faithfully bring healing and justice. He has borne our infirmities and carried our sorrows; he was wounded for our transgressions, and by his bruises we are healed.
Candle Lighting
The light of the second candle reminds us that God heals the pain of our disappointments – the loss of health, of jobs, of financial security, the loss of peacefulness about our future, the loss of relationship which once were solid and trustworthy. Gather together your disappointments and your needs. Offer this to God and ask God to heal you.
We keep silence
God knows our hearts.
Healing God, help us remember your promise to take our worries and concerns into your hands. Help us in our losses. Save us from bitterness and resentment and anxiety. Lead us into a life lived more fully in your healing presence. Amen
Hymn
I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say
ELW 611
LIGHT OF HOPE
From Psalms 120 and 121
I am distressed LORD and cry out to you. Answer me. I look all around for help. But LORD there is none who can help me like you can. Do I dare to hope in you?
From Isaiah 40
My dear child, remember that I don’t come and go – I am eternal. I don’t tire out. I energize those who are tired and give fresh strength to those who are weak. Those who hope in me will have new strength. They spread their wings and soar like eagles. The do not tire but are refreshed. Hope in me.
Candle Lighting
The light of the third candle reminds us of the hope, the steadfast assurance, that we have that God will never leave us nor forsake us. Where is it that we can go to where God is not present? There is no place where God does not join us. When we feel far away from him, let us sit where we are and let the hope that we have stir us on.
We keep silence
Through the Holy Spirit, God kindles the flame of hope that is in our hearts.
God of hope, sometimes I’m afraid to hope. I’m afraid of another disappointment. There have been so many. Will you show yourself to me somehow so that I can be assured of your presence and your coming again. Amen.
LIGHT OF JOY
From Psalms 38 and 51
Do not forsake me, O LORD; O my God, do not be far from me. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and behold the face of God? Where is my God? My joy is spent. Restore unto me the joy of my salvation.
From Luke 1
Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?” The angel said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the child to be born will be called the Son of God. For nothing will be impossible with God. You will have joy and gladness and many will rejoice at his birth.”
Candle Lighting
The light of the fourth candle reminds us that Jesus comes to give us joy. The psalmist tells us that in God’s presence is fullness of joy. Joy is not a happy emotion. It is simply being in God’s presence – whether we come with grieving hearts, furrowed brows, or aching joints. In God’s presence is fullness of joy.
We keep silence
God is present with us.
God of joy, show us again and again and again your Son who was born among us to be our Savior. Amen.
Hymn
Awake, Awake and Greet the New Morn
ELW 242 (vs. 1 & 4)
Prayers of the People
+ MEAL +
Holy Eucharist
Dialogue
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God
It is right to give our thanks and praise
Thanksgiving at the Table
Distribution
+ SENDING +
Hymn
Be Thou My Vision
ELW 793 (vs. 1, 2,4)
First Coming Madeleine L’Engle
God did not wait until the world was ready, till the nations were at peace.
God came when the heavens were unsteady and prisoners cried for release.
God did not wait for the perfect time.
God came when the need was deep and great. God dined with sinners in all their grime.
God did not wait until the hearts were pure.
In JOY God came to a tarnished world of sin and doubt. To a world of anguish and shame. God came in JOY, and his light never goes out.
God came to a world which did not mesh; to heal its ill, and shield its scorn.
In the mystery of the Word made flesh, the maker of the stars were born.
We cannot wait until the world is whole, to raise our songs with joyful voice, to share our grief, to touch our pain.
All: God came in grace, with love. We rejoice. We hope. We wait.
Benediction
Postlude
Jesus, Our Comfort and Life
J. S. Bach
